Which Mazda CX-30 years should I avoid?

NHTSA data points to 2021 and 2024 as the CX-30 years to avoid, with 2021 topping the complaint index at 100 and 2024 at 80. 2020 and 2023 are the Best-rated years.

Which Mitsubishi Outlander years should I avoid?

Avoid 2016, 2020, 2022, 2023 and 2024. The 2022 model year has the highest complaint index at 100 with 215 complaints and 7 recall campaigns; 2016 follows at a complaint index of 95.

Does the Outlander have more recalls than the CX-30?

Yes. The Outlander has 35 total recall campaigns across 20 model years versus 7 for the CX-30 across 6 model years.

Which SUV gets better fuel economy, the CX-30 or the Outlander?

The CX-30 averages 26.7 mpg combined across its model years, compared to 23.9 mpg combined for the Outlander.

Is there a best year for the Outlander with no complaint issues?

2012 is the Outlander's Best year, with a complaint index of only 5 and 22 complaints, the lowest of any model year with full data.

Mazda CX-30 vs Mitsubishi Outlander: Which Years to Avoid

Avoid the 2021 and 2024 Mazda CX-30; the 2020 and 2023 CX-30 are its Best years. For Mitsubishi Outlander, avoid 2016, 2020, 2022, 2023 and 2024, with 2012 as the lowest-risk year. The CX-30 averages 41 complaints per model year versus 57 for the Outlander, but totals aren't sales-normalized.

Head to head

Mazda CX-30

Model years: 2020–2025 (6)
NHTSA complaints: 248
Per model year: 41
Recall campaigns: 7
Years to avoid: 2021, 2024
Best years: 2020, 2023
Top problem area: Engine
Avg. EPA combined MPG: 26.7
Avg. NHTSA overall rating: 5.0 ★

Mitsubishi Outlander

Model years: 2005–2025 (20)
NHTSA complaints: 1,148
Per model year: 57
Recall campaigns: 35
Years to avoid: 2016, 2020, 2022, 2023, 2024
Best years: 2012
Top problem area: Electrical System
Avg. EPA combined MPG: 23.9
Avg. NHTSA overall rating: 4.7 ★

Year by year

Complaint Index is relative within each model (0 = that model’s best year, 100 = its worst). Complaints and recalls are raw counts.

Year	CX-30				Outlander
Year	Verdict	Complaints	Recalls	MPG	Verdict	Complaints	Recalls	MPG
2005	—	—	—	—	Good	19	1	21
2006	—	—	—	—	Good	21	1	21
2007	—	—	—	—	Caution	125	9	19.5
2008	—	—	—	—	Caution	58	12	21
2009	—	—	—	—	Caution	46	13	21
2010	—	—	—	—	Caution	60	10	21.5
2011	—	—	—	—	Caution	58	8	23
2012	—	—	—	—	Best	22	6	23
2013	—	—	—	—	Good	26	5	23
2014	—	—	—	—	Caution	45	4	26
2015	—	—	—	—	Good	52	5	26
2016	—	—	—	—	Avoid	145	8	26
2017	—	—	—	—	Caution	51	6	26
2018	—	—	—	—	Caution	57	6	25.5
2019	—	—	—	—	Good	29	5	25.5
2020	Best	33	3	27.5	Avoid	31	3	25.5
2021	Avoid	101	2	26	—	—	—	—
2022	Good	33	1	25.5	Avoid	215	7	26
2023	Best	24	1	27	Avoid	47	2	26
2024	Avoid	31	2	27	Avoid	26	1	26
2025	Caution	26	1	27	Good	15	1	26

Complaint Index by year

Mazda CX-30

Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best

Mitsubishi Outlander

Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best

Frequently asked questions

Which Mazda CX-30 years should I avoid?: NHTSA data points to 2021 and 2024 as the CX-30 years to avoid, with 2021 topping the complaint index at 100 and 2024 at 80. 2020 and 2023 are the Best-rated years.
Which Mitsubishi Outlander years should I avoid?: Avoid 2016, 2020, 2022, 2023 and 2024. The 2022 model year has the highest complaint index at 100 with 215 complaints and 7 recall campaigns; 2016 follows at a complaint index of 95.
Does the Outlander have more recalls than the CX-30?: Yes. The Outlander has 35 total recall campaigns across 20 model years versus 7 for the CX-30 across 6 model years.
Which SUV gets better fuel economy, the CX-30 or the Outlander?: The CX-30 averages 26.7 mpg combined across its model years, compared to 23.9 mpg combined for the Outlander.
Is there a best year for the Outlander with no complaint issues?: 2012 is the Outlander's Best year, with a complaint index of only 5 and 22 complaints, the lowest of any model year with full data.